February hosts series of Black History Month events, programs

February 1, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Black Student Union at the University of Florida will celebrate Black History Month by bringing a host of famous names to campus while offering a series of programs to shed light on issues in the black community.

This year’s keynote speaker is Martin Luther King III, son of the late Martin Luther King Jr. He will speak at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The event is co-sponsored by ACCENT Speakers Bureau and is free and open to the public.

The celebrations continue on Feb. 15 with Black History Month’s annual comedy show featuring BET “Comic View” comedians Damon Williams and Darren “DS” Sanders. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the MSB Auditorium of Shands Stetson Medical Sciences Building.

On Feb. 17, the University of Florida will host one of the largest step shows in the Southeast. The 18th annual Florida Invitational Step Show kicks off at 7 p.m. and features all nine historically black Greek-lettered organizations.

In a serious discussion about race in the United States, Brian Sparks and Bruno Marcotulli of the FX television series “Black. White.” will share their experiences with racial stereotypes at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. The two men explored racial discrimination on the reality series as their families traded races with the help of cutting-edge makeup techniques.

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley, will headline the Black History Month concert, co-sponsored by Student Government Productions and the Caribbean Student Association. Marley will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Doors open at 7 p.m.

The Black Student Union, established in 1968, is the fourth-largest student organization at the University of Florida and is funded by Student Government. Black History Month is an ad-hoc committee of the Black Student Union and this year marks the 29th annual Black History Month celebration.

To view a complete listing of all of the Black History Month 2007 events, visit the Web at www.celebrateblack.com.